During his assignment at the World Bank as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director
(2007- 2010), Mr. Usmani provided key advice and policy support to the Executive
Director in meeting his Board level responsibilities and representing India, Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka and Bhutan at the World Bank. Also serving as the focal point on climate
change and its impact on development he made strategic contributions in the formulation
of the Bank’s Strategic Framework for Development and Climate Change and the subsequent
establishment of the Climate Investment Funds with a corpus of $6 billion. Mr. Usmani
also participated in the meetings of the United Nations Secretary General’s High
Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing, and played a role in the discussions
shaping the finalization of the report of the group.

Highlights /Achievements

As a Deputy to Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission
of India and Member of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate
Change Financing (AGF), played an active role in the discussions in the meetings
of the Principals/Deputies of the AGF and in the finalization of the report of the
AGF.

As the focal point for climate change issues in the office of the Executive Director,
ensured incorporation of developing countries’ concerns in the World Bank’s Strategic
Framework on Development and Climate Change governing the engagement of the Bank
with issues relating to development in the context of climate change.

Played a prominent role in the stakeholder consultation in Potsdam, Germany, leading
to finalization of the framework document for the Bank administered Climate Investment
Funds (the Clean Technology Fund aimed at mitigation and the Strategic Climate Fund
aimed at adaptation to climate change). After the establishment of these funds with
a corpus of US$ 6 billion, ensured election of India as one of the members of the
Trust Fund Committee set up in the year 2008 to manage the CTF, and thereafter represented
India on this Committee.

Led the discussion on the draft Access to Information Policy for the World Bank
and provided key interventions resulting in extensive consultation of the Bank team
with the Central Information Commission of India. The Bank thus learnt about India’s
Right to Information Act and issues relating to its implementation. The Bank’s Access
to Information Policy was therefore substantially influenced and shaped by the provisions
of India’s RTI Act.